Display container



Sept. 20, 1966 c. E. PALMER 3,27

DISPLAY CONTAINE R Filed March 6, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. CHARLES E. PALMER Kai-42;.)

A TTORNEY P 1966 c. E. PALMER 3,273,702

DISPLAY CONTAINER Filed March 6. 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. C HARLES E. PALMER A from/5r Sept. 20, 1966 c E, PALMER DISPLAY CONTAINER 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 6, 1964 CHARLES E. PALMER A T TOR/V5 Y United States Patent 3,273,702 DISPLAY CONTAINER Charles E. Palmer, Somers, Conn, assignor to Monsanto Chemical Company, St. Louis, M0,, a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 6, 1964, Ser. No. 349,974 14 Claims. (Cl. 206-4531) The present invention relates to containers, and more specificially to novel display containers having a window of semi-rigid material which may be readily stored and transported in partially erected condition and to the partially erected containers therefor and the method of making same.

The transporting and storage of window containers having large, semi-rigid window members extending around fold lines or corners in the frame generally has been difficult when it has been desired to prefold the window due to problems in folding the semi-rigid window member to lie flat.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel partially erected display container having a semirigid window member extending around a corner thereof which lies substantially fiat for shipping and storage and which is readily erected into the finished container.

It is also an object to provide such a partially erected container which may be conveniently and economically fabricated.

Another object is to provide an attractive container having a semi-rigid window which may be readily erected [from such a partially erected container.

Still another object is to provide a facile method for making such containers and partially erected containers.

Other objects and advantages will be readily apparent from the following detailed description and the attached drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a window container embodying the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view in elevation to an enlarged scale along the line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view to a reduced scale of the blank for the container of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of the blank of FIGURE 3 partially erected for storage and shipping;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view in elevation to an enlarged scale along the line 5-5 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of another window container embodying the present invention;

FIGURE 7 is a plan view to a reduced scale of the blank for the container of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of still another window container embodying the present invention; and

FIGURE 9 is a plan view to a reduced scale of the blank for the container of FIGURE 8.

It has now been found that that the foregoing and related objects may be readily attained by a partially erected window container having a frame member of relatively rigid and opaque sheet material which is cut and scored to define two adjacent portions which are hingedly connected along a longitudinally extending score or weakening line and folded thereabout into a generally flattened overlying relationship. The frame also includes end closure portions hingedly connected to the ends of the two adjacent portions and has a window aperture extending across the weakening line into the two adjacent portions. Means are provided engaging the two adjacent portions to each other along a line of engagement spaced from the weakening line and the window aperture is dimensioned and configured to terminate inwardly of this engagement line. Secured to the interior of the frame is a window member of semi-rigid, transparent synthetic plastic sheet material which is dimensioned and configured to extend across the window aperture therein and beyond the margins thereof so that the frame overlaps the margins thereof. The window member has a .fold therein along a line adjacent to and generally aligned with the weakening line in the frame, and portions of the window about the fold substantially superficially conform to the corresponding portions of the frame member. The two adjacent frame portions and portions of the window member intermediate the engagement line and the weakening line are movable away from each other to form a compartment therebetween in the erected position, and the end closure portions are foldable to close the ends of the compartment and lock the container in erected position.

Desirably, one of the two adjacent portions includes a display panel extending outwardly from the engagement line and the other of the adjacent portions includes a looking flap engaged with the first of the two adjacent portions at the engagement line. The display panel and locking flap may be conveniently engaged or bonded together by a suitable adhesive. The display panel may also be used to support the container.

In one conveniently erected embodiment, adopting the principles disclosed in applicants copending United States patent application Serial No. 191,018, filed April 30, 1962, now US. Patent No. 3,199,670, and entitled Container and Method of Making Same, the window member has opposed notches in its side margins at the fold and the frame member has inwardly projecting finger portions extending in overlapping relationship beyond the margins of the notches. The window member is bonded to the frame along overlapping marginal portions, but the bonding terminates adjacent the notches and finger portions so that the overlapping surfaces of the projecting finger portions and window adjacent the notches are free from bonding to permit relative slippage therebetween. In this manner, the thickness of the plastic sheet material at the fold is accommodated by displacement of the plastic sheet material from the body portion of the frame at the fold lines through the notches and by bending of the projecting finger portions of the frame outwardly about the folds in the window. Thus, relatively thick plastic sheeting may be readily folded without excessive stress upon the frame material at the fold.

In another embodiment utilizing the principles disclosed in applicants copending United States patent application Serial No. 300,330, filed August 6, 1963, and entitled Window Container and Blanks and Method for Forming Same, the window member is bonded to the frame member along overlapping portions thereof on one side of the weakening line, the window being substantially free from bonding to the frame on the other side of the weakening line to permit relative movement therebetween. Thus, the portion of the window on the unsecured side of the weakening line is free to move relative to and along the side surface of the adjacent panel of the frame to accommodate the thickness of the window material and the depth of the scoring of the frame. In this manner, relatively thick plastic sheeting may be folded within the frame without excessive stress on the frame at the weakened line of fold therein such as would be produced by buckling of the plastic window or uneven separation of the window from the frame if they were to be secured together on both sides of the fold line without providing means for accommodating the thickness of the window material at the fold.

The frame member may have plurality of longitudinally extending weakening lines therein intersecting the window aperture. In this case, the window member is free of folds and weakening lines other than the fold the-rein aligned with the longitudinally extending weakening line about which the frame is folded. The frame member is foldable .about these weakening lines into erected position and the window member is deflectable to conform generally with the foldable frame member and to form generally curvilinear corner portions except at the fold therein.

To provide for a substantially flat-lying, partially folded container, the frame and window members desirably fold into overlying relationship about a relatively sharp angle of fold. This folding may be conveniently accomplished by the method and apparatus disclosed in appl-icants copending United States patent application Serial No. 333,- 294, filed December 26, 1963, and entitled Method and Apparatus for Folding Synthetic Plastic Sheet Material. Following the teachings of this application, the frame and unscored window members are first partially folded along the weakening line of the frame member with the window member disposed inwardly of the fold. The partially folded members are then further folded between a pair of closely spaced pressure members which flatten and fold them substantially completely along the weakening line to produce a relatively permanent fold line in the Window substantially aligned with the weakening line in the frame. To ensureeffective pressure upon the plastic sheet material of the window member without excessive destruction of the strength and appearance thereof during the folding, at least one of the pressure members has a resiliently deformable surface.

The frame member may be readily fabricated from paperboard sheet material of about 12 to 50 mils in thickness which provides ample rigidity for this purpose. Since the paperboard may be dyed or printed readily, wide variations in appearance of the container are possible.

The synthetic plastic sheet material employed for the window member should be semi-rigid with sufi'icient flexibility to accommodate stresses and impacts during normal usage. As indicated, the material preferably should be foldable about a relatively sharp angle of fold. Exemplary of such sharply foldable materials are biaxially oriented polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride and polyvinyl chloride-acetate copolymer. However, materials which cannot be so sharply folded may also be employed albeit with greater difiiculty in control and operation such as celluose acetate and butyrate. The most desirable material utilized to date has been biaxially oriented polystyrene of about 4 to 12 mils in thickness because of its clarity, high strength, economy and semi-rigidity coupled with sufiicient resiliency and flexibility to provide desirable folds and resistance to normal impacts.

Generally, the frame and Window members are most easily bonded together by a separate interposed coating of adhesive although solvent or heat-sealing may be used where the nature of the plastic sheet material permits.

In can be seen that the resulting container of the present invention has a frame member which has two adjacent portions hingedly connected along a longitudinally extending fold and engaged to each other along an engagement line spaced from the fold. Corresponding transverse dimensions of the adjacent portions between the engagement line and the fold are substantially equal to permit the partially erected container to lie substantially fiat for shipping. The window member has one fold only therein along a line adjacent to and aligned with the fold in the frame, and is free from any other sharp folds or creases or weakening lines. The portions of the window member on either side of the fold therein generally correspond to the configuration of the adjacent portions of the frame; however, due to the absence of other folds and weakening lines, the Window member forms a curvilinear corner portion adjacent any angular longitudinal folds in the frame member. Because of the manner of erecting the container from the partially erected container, the frame and window members tend to return or relax to their generally flattened overly-ing relationship, which tendency is counteracted or compensated by the end closure portions of the frame member in the erected container.

The blank of the present invention has a frame member which is cut and scored to provide two adjacent portions hingedly connected along a longitudinally extending weakening line, end closure portions hingedly connected to the ends of the adjacent portions, and a window aperture extending across the weakening lines into the two adjacent portions. A window member extends beyond the margins of the window aperture and is secured to the frame membet in a manner to permit effective folding. The two adjacent portions of the frame are foldable about the weakening line into generally flattened overlying relationship and are engageable along a longitudinally extending engagement line spaced from the weakening line. The window member is foldable about a line adjacent to and aligned with the weakening line interiorly of the frame member and in substantial superficial conformity therewith to form the generally fiat-lying, partially erected container.

In the method of the present invention, the window member is secured to the frame member which is cut and scored to define the two adjacent portions hingedly connected along a longitudinally extending weakening line and end closure portions hingedly connected to the ends of the two adjacent portions as well as the desired window aperture. The frame member is then folded about the weakening line and the window member is folded about a line adjacent to and aligned with the weakening line into generally flattened overlying relationship. The two adjacent portions of the frame are then engaged to each other along an engagement line spaced from the weakening line outwardly of the window aperture to provide the flat-lying, semi-erected container. Subsequently, the container is fully erected by moving away from each other the two adjacent portions of the frame member and of the window member intermediate the engagement line and the weakening line to form a compartment therebetween, and lastly the end closure portions are folded to close the ends of the compartment and lock the container in the erected position.

Referring now in detail to the attached drawings, FIG- URES l and 2 illustrate a window container folded from the partially erected container of FIGURES 4 and 5 and having a frame member of relatively rigid and opaque paperboard sheet material generally designated by the numeral 2 and a window member of transparent, semirigid synthetic plastic sheet material generally designated by the numeral 4.

The structure of the partially folded container and the fully erected container may be best understood by reference to the blank of FIGURE 3. The frame 2 is !integrally formed and is cut and scored to define two adjacent portions designated by the letters A and B and hingedly connected along a first longitudinally extending score or weakening line 6a. Additional longitudinal score lines 6b, 6c, 6d and 6e cooperate with the line 6a to de fine a locking flap 8, back wall panel 10, bottom Wall panel 12, front wall panel 14, top wall panel 16 and display panel 18. The corresponding transverse dimension of the adjacent portions A, B between the inner longitudinal margins 6b, 6e of the locking flap 8 and the display panel, respectively, and the first weakening line 6a are substantially equal. Transverse score lines 20 define end wall panels 22 hingedly connected to the ends of the bottom wall panel 12 and top wall panel 16, respectively. Tuck flaps 28 are hingedly connected to the ends of the end wall panels 22, and, as illustrated, only one locking slit 30 is made at the connecting hinge line instead of the customary two for purposes which will be pointed out hereinafter.

The frame member 2 has a window aperture 32 terminating inwardly of the weakening lines 6a, 6e, and the window member 4 is dimensioned and configured to extend beyond the margins of the window aperture 32 interiorly thereof. The window member 4 has a fold line 34 therein adjacent to and generally aligned with score line 6a in the frame member 2 which divides the window member 4 into portions C, D corresponding with port-ions A, B, respectively, of the frame member 2. The window member 4 has opposed notches 36 in its side margins adjacent the score lines 6 in the frame member 2, and the frame member 2 has inwardly projecting finger portions 38 extending in overlapping relationship beyond the margins of the notches 36. Adhesive or other bonding means, indicated by the stippling 40, is interposed between and bonds overlapping marginal portions of the frame member 2 and window member 4, and terminates adjacent the notches 36 and finger portions 38 to permit relative slippage therebetween for accommodating the thickness of the material of the window member 4 at the fold lines therein.

Referring now to FIGURES 4 and 5, the blank is partially erected by folding the adjacent portions A and B about score line 6a and the window member 4 about fold line 34 into generally flattened overlying relationship, preferably by the method and appaartus described in the aforementioned copending application Serial No. 333,294. Bonding means such as adhesive (not shown) is interposed between and bonds overlapping portions of the locking flap 8 and the display panel 18 to engage the two adjacent portions A and B to each other up to and along an engagement line spaced from score line 6a defined by the now generally aligned score lines 6b and 6e. As best seen in FIGURE 5, the portions C, D of the window member 4 about the fold line 34 substantially conform superficially to corresponding portions A, B of the frame member 2 in the partially erected container.

Turning now to FIGURES 1 and 2, the adjacent frame portions A, B and the window portions C, D intermediate the engagement line coinciding with score lines 6b and 6e, and the score line 6a, have been moved away from each other to form a compartment therebetween in the erected position. The frame member 2 has also been folded about the score lines 6c and 6d to provide a substantially polygonal cross section for the compartment. The end closure portions provided by end wall panels 22 and dust flaps 24, 26 have been folded to close the ends of the compartment and the rigidity of the material of these end closure portions locks the container in the erected position against the tendency of the frame and window members 2, 4 to spring back to the generally flattened position illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5. By providing slits 30 at only one end of the hinge line between tuck flaps 28 and end wall panels 22, the other unslit end provides a relatively rigid corner better able to resist the flattening bias.

As best seen in FIGURE 2, the window member 4, being free of weakening and fold lines except at 34, deflects into general conformity with the wall panels by reason of its inherent resiliency or springiness and provides curvilinear corner portions adjacent the score lines 60, 6d in the erected position.

Turning now to FIGURES 6 and 7, therein is illustrated another container and blank therefor embodying the present invention which has a frame member generally designated by the numeral 102 and a window member generally designated by the numeral 104.

Referring to the blank of FIGURE 7 for better understanding of the structure, the frame member 102 has two adjacent portions A and B hingedly connected along the longitudinally extending score line 106a. Additional longitudinal score lines 106b, 1060 cooperate with score line 106a to define locking flap 108, rear wall panel 110, front wall panel 112, and display panel 114. Transversely extending and inwardly pointing arcuate score lines 116 define end closure portions 118, 120 hingedly connected to the ends of rear wall panel 110 and front wall panel 112, respectively.

The window member 104 extends beyond the margins of the window aperture 122 and has a fold line 124 therein adjacent to and substantially aligned with score line 1060 in the frame member 102 which divides the window member 104 into portions C, D corresponding to portions A, B, respectively, of the frame member 102. Finger portions 126 of the frame 102 project inwardly in overlapping relationship beyond the margins of the window member 104 for a purpose to be described hereinafter and bonding :means such as adhesive, indicated by the stippling 128, is interposed between and bonds overlapping portions A, C of the frame member 102 and window member 104 on one side of the weakening line 106a, thus permitting relative movement between the unbonded portions B, D for accommodation of the thickness of the material of the window member 104.

In the partially erected container, the frame member 102 and window member 104 are folded about score line 106a and fold line 124 into generally flattened overlying relations-hip, preferably in accordance with the teachings of the aforementioned United States patent application Serial No. 333,294. Bonding means (not shown) is interposed between adjacent surfaces of the locking flap 108 i and display panel 114 up to and along the engagement line defined by the now aligned score lines 106b, 1060.

In the erection of the container, the frame portions A and B between the engagement line and score line 106:: with the corresponding window portions C and D are moved away from each other to form a compartment therebetween having a substantially curvilinear cross section. The end closure portions 118, are then folded inwardly along the arcuate score lines 116 to lock the frame and window portions into the curvilinear form as illustrated. Because the end closure portions 118, 120 are deflected concavely between the engagement line and score line 106a, they are locked in the folded concave position by the rigidity of the frame material. The aforementioned finger portions 126 underlie goods received in the compartment when the container is suspended by the display panel and locking flap 114, 108, respectively, to provide reinforcing support for the goods in the container. Turning now to FIGURES 8 and 9, therein is illustrated a container and blank similar to that shown in FIGURES 6 and 7 but providing two spaced display compartments. Referring first to the blank of FIGURE 9, the frame member, generally designated by the numeral 202, is integrally formed and has two portions A and B linked by linking or intermediate panel 204 and a pair of window members, generally designated by the numerals 206, 208, associated with the frame portions A and B, respectively.

The frame portion A has a longitudinally extending weakening or score line 210a therein which divides it into outer portion C and inner portion D and cooperates with longitudinally extending score lines 21% and 2100 to define locking flap 212 at the free longitudinal marginal portion of outer portion C, rear wall panel 214, and front wall panel 216. Transverse inwardly pointing arcuate score lines 218 define end closure portions 220, 222 hingedly connected to the ends of rear wall panel 214 and front wall panel 216, respectively. The window member 206 extends beyond the margins of the window aperture 224 in frame portion A and the fold line 226 thereon is substantially aligned with score line 210a. Bonding means such as adhesive indicated by the stippling 228 bonds the window member 206 to the frame portion A on one side of the score line 210a, the portion of the window on the other side being free to move with respect to outer portion C to accommodate the thickness of the window material.

In like manner, frame portion B is divided into inner portion E and outer portion F by the longitudinal score line 230a which cooperates with longitudinal score lines 2301) and 2330s to define locking flap 232, rear wall panel 234, and front wall panel 236. Transverse arcuate score lines 238 define end closure panels 240, 242 hingedly connected to the ends of rear wall panel 234 and front wall panel 236, respectively. Window member 208 extends beyond the margins of the window aperture 244 in the frame portion B and the fold line 246 therein is substantially aligned with score line 230a. Bonding means 1ndicated by the stip'pling 248 bonds the window member 208 to the frame portion B on one side of the score line 230a.

In the partially erected container, frame portion A and window member 206 are folded about score line 210a and fold line 226, respectively, into a generally flattened overlying relationship and locking flap 212 is bonded to linking panel 204 up to and along the line of engagement defined by the overlapping score lines 2101: and 2100. Likewise, frame portion B and window member 208 are folded about score line 230a and fold line 246, respectively, into a generally flattened overlying relationship and locking flap 232 is bonded'to linking panel 204 up to and the line of engagement defined by the now aligned score lines-230b and 2300.

The partially erected container is rapidly erected into the illustrated double compartment container by moving portions C and D and portions E and F away from each other and deflecting inwardly the arcuate end closure portions 220, 222, 240, 242 which close the ends of the compartments and lock the container in erected position as described in connection with FIGURE 6.

Thus, the window container provided by the present invention may be conveniently and economically partially assembled in accordance with the teachings of the aforementioned United States patent application Serial No. 333,294 so as to lie flat for economy in storage and shipping. The partially erected container then may be rapidly erected and locked in the fully erected position merely by emplacement of the end closure portions, thereby eliminating the need for further application of bonding means, although the end closure portions may be glued if desired.

The display panel provided by the present invention may be conveniently printed for attracting consumer attention and for identifying goods received in the container and forms an effective panel for suspending the container from hooks and the like. The display panel may be omitted if desired and the locking flap may be trimmed down in transverse dimension to serve as a conventional glue flap lying against and bonded to the interior surface adjacent the free longitudinal edge of the adjacent wall panel. The window container of the present invention may be formed as an extension of the back and final panel of a conventional tuck flap carton to provide a double compartment container, one compartment of which is windowed.

Containers of many different cross sections may be provided by the present invention provided that the fold line in the partially erected container as described herein bisects the portion of the frame which forms the several side wall panels of the compartment in order that this portion may be folded to lie substantially flat upon itself.

In the double compartment window container described herein, the portion of the frame between the two compartments may serve as a display panel if desired. Moreover, this intermediate portion may be longitudinally cut to provide twoseparate containers if desired. Although only two basic forms of end closure portions have been illustrated, it will be readily apparent that many others may be used provided they serve the dual function of closing the ends of the compartment and locking the container in erected position.

Thus, it can be seen that the present invention provides a novel and attractive display container of great versatility in design which may be quickly and easily erected from a fiat-lying, partially erected form. The flattened partially erected container is especially adapted for economical storage and transit and may be conveniently fabricated at relatively low cost.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. A partially erected window container comprising a frame member of relatively rigid and opaque sheet material, said frame member being cut and scored to define two adjacent portions hingedly connected along a longitudinally extending weakening. line, said two adjacent portions being folded about said weakening line into generally flattened, overlying relationship, said frame memberhaving end closure portions hingedly connected to the ends of said two adjacent portions and a window aperture extending across said weakening line into said two adjacent portions; means engaging said two adjacent portions to each other along an engagement line spaced from said weakening line, said window aperture in said two adjacent portions terminating inwardly from said engagement line; and a window member of semi-rigid, transparent synthetic plastic sheet material extending beyond the margins of said window aperture interiorly of said frameand secured thereto, said window member having a fold therein along a line adjacent to and aligned with said weakening line in said frame member, portions of said window member about said fold substantially superfically conforming to corresponding portions of said frame member, portions of said two adjacent portions of said frame member and of said window member intermediate said engagement line and said weakening line being movable away from each other to form a compartment therebetween in the erected position, said end closure portions being foldable to close the ends of said compartment and to lock said container in erected position.

2. The partially erected container of claim 1 wherein said Window member has opposed notches in its side margins at said fold and said frame member has inwardly projecting finger portions extending in overlapping rela tionship beyond the margins of said notches, and wherein said means securing said window member to said frame member is provided by bonding means interposed between and bonding said window member and frame member and terminating adjacent to said notches and finger portions, the overlapping surfaces of the projecting finger portions and window adjacent the notches being free from adhesive to permit relative slippage therebetween.

3. The partially erected container of claim 1 wherein said means securing said Window member to said frame member is provided by bonding means interposed between and bonding overlapping portions of said window member and said frame member on one side of said weakening line, said window member being substantially free from bonding to said frame member on the other side of said weakening line to permit relative movement therebetween.

4. The partially erected container of claim 1 wherein said frame member has a plurality of longitudinally extending weakening lines therein intersecting said window aperture to provide a polygonal compartment, and wherein the surfaces of said window member are smooth, unbroken and free of folds and weakening lines other than at said aligned fold, said frame member being foldable about said weakening lines into erected position and said window member being deflectable to conform generally with said foldable frame member and to form generally curvilinear corner portions at the remaining weakening lines except at said aligned fold.

5. A partially erected window container comprising a frame member of relatively rigid and opaque sheet material, said frame member being cut and scored to define two adjacent portions hingedly connected along a first longitudinally extending weakening line, said two adjacent portions being folded about said weakening line into generally flattened overlying relationship and being engaged to each other along an engagement line spaced from weakening line, said adjacent portions having additional longitudinally extending weakening lines in said two adjacent portions intermediate said first weakening line and said engagement line and defining therewith a plurality of wall panels, said frame member having end closure portions hingedly connected to the ends of said wall panels and a window aperture extending across said first weakening line into said two adjacent portions inwardly of said engagement line, said window aperture extending across one of said additional weakening lines and thus into three of said wall panels; and a window member of semi-rigid transparent synthetic plastic sheet material extending beyond the margins of said window aperture interiorly of said frame member and secured thereto, said window member having one fold only therein along a line adjacent to and substantially aligned with said first weakening line in said frame member, portions of said window member about said fold substantially superficially conforming to corresponding portions of said frame member, portions of said two adjacent portions of said frame member and of said window member intermediate said engagement line and said first weakening line being movable away from each other to form a compartment therebetween in the erected position, said frame member being foldable about said additional weakening lines to provide a substantially polygonal cross section to said compartment, said window member being deflec-table into general conformity with said wall panels upon movement into erected position to provide a substantially curvilinear corner portion adjacent said one additional score line in the erected container, said end closure portions being foldable to close the ends of said compartment and lock said container in the erected position.

6. A partially erected window container comprising a frame member of relatively rigid and opaque sheet material, said frame member being cut and scored to define two adjacent portions hingedly connected along a longitudinally extending weakening line, said two adjacent portions being folded about said weakening line into generally flattened overlying relationship and being engaged to each other along an engagement line spaced from said weakening line, said adjacent portions having arcuate, inwardly pointing weakening lines at the ends thereof extending substantially from said weakening line to said engagement line and defining generally curvilinear end closure portions hingedly connected to the ends of said adjacent portions, said frame having a window aperture therein extending across said weakening line into said two adjacent portions and terminating inwardly of said engagement line; and a window member of semi-rigid transparent synthetic plastic sheet material extending beyond the margins of said window aperture interiorly of said frame member and secured thereto, said window member having a fold therein along a line adjacent to and substantially aligned with said weakening line in said frame member, portions of said window member about said fold substantially superficially conforming to corresponding portions of said frame member, portions of said two adjacent portions of said frame member and of said window member intermediate said engagement line and said weakening line being movable away from each other to form a compartment therebetween in the erected position, said end closure portions being foldable to close the ends of said compartment and lock said container in erected position, said adjacent portions of said frame member and said window member intermediate said engagement line and said weakening line flexing to form a substantially curvilinear cross section for said compartment, said end closure portions being engageable in concave folded position against inadvertent opening by the rigidity of the material of said frame member.

7. A partially erected window container comprising a frame member of relatively rigid and opaque sheet material, said frame member being cut and scored to define two frame portions connected to opposing longitudinal margins of a linking panel, each of said frame portions being cut and scored to define an inner portion and an outer portion hingedly connected along a longitudinally extending weakening line, each of said inner and outer portions being folded about said weakening line into generally flattened overlying relationship, the free longitudinal marginal portion of each of said outer portions overlying said linking panel and being engaged therewith along an engagement line generally colinear with the adjacent longitudinal margin of said linking panel, each of inner and outer portions having arcuate, inwardly pointing weakening lines at the ends thereof extending substantially from said weakening lines to the cor-responding engagement lines and defining generally curvilinear end closure portions hingedly connected to the ends of said adjacent portions, each of said frame portions having a window aperture therein extending across said weakening lines into said inner and outer portions and terminating inwardly of said engagement lines; and a window member of semi-rigid transparent synthetic plastic sheet material extending beyond the margins of each of said window apertures interiorly of said frame portions and secured thereto, each window member having a fold therein along a line adjacent to and substantially aligned with said weakening lines in said frame portions, portions of each window member about said fold substantially superficially conforming to corresponding portions of said frame portions, portions of said inner and outer portions of said frame portions and of each window member intermediate said engagement lines and said weakening lines being movable away from each other to form compartments therebetween in the erected position, said end closure portions being foldable to close the ends of said compartments and lock said frame portions and Window members in erected position, said inner and outer portions of said frame portions and said window members intermediate said engagement line and said weakening line flexing to form compartments of substantially curvilinear cross section, said end closure portions being engageable in concave folded position against inadvertent opening by the rigidity of the material of said frame member.

8. A window container comprising a frame member of relatively rigid and opaque sheet material having two adjacent portions hingedly connected along a first longitudinally extending fold line and being engaged to each other along an engagement line spaced from said first fold line, the corresponding transverse dimensions of said adacent portions between said engagement line and said first fold line being substantially equal, said adjacent portions having additional longitudinally extending fold lines intermediate said first fold and said engagement line and defining therewith a plurality of longitudinally extending wall panels providing a compartment of substantially polygonal cross-section therebetween, said frame member having end closure portions hingedly connected to the ends of said side wall panels and having a window aperture extending across said first fold line and one of said additional fold lines into three of said wall panels and terminating inwardly of said engagement line; and a w ndow member of semi-rigid transparent synthetic plast1c sheet material extending beyond the margins of said window aperture interiorly of said frame member and secured thereto, said window member having one fold therein along a line adjacent to and substantially aligned with said first fold line in said frame member, said window member generally conforming to said wall panels and having a curvilinear corner portion adjacent said One additional fold in said frame member.

9. The window container of claim 8 wherein one of said two adjacent portions includes a display panel extending outwardly from said engagement line and wherein the other of said two adjacent portions includes a locking flap engaged with said one portion at said engagement line.

10. A window container comprising a frame member of relatively rigid and opaque sheet material having two adjacent portions hingedly connected along a longitudinally extending fold line and being engaged to each other along an engagement line spaced from said fold line, the corresponding transverse dimensions of said adjacent portions between said engagement line and said fold line being substantially equal, portions of said two adjacent portions intermediate said engagement line and said fold being spaced from each other to provide a compartment therebetween having a substantially curvilinear cross section, said frame member having end closure portions hingedly connected to the ends of said two adjacent portions along arcuate inwardly pointing fold lines, said end closure portions being locked in a concave folded position by the rigidity of the material of said frame member, said frame member having a window aperture extending across said fold into said two adjacent portions and terminating inwardly of said engagement line; and a window member of semi-rigid transparent synthetic plastic sheet material extending beyond the margins of said window aperture interiorly of said frame member and secured thereto, said window member having one fold only therein along a line adjacent to and substantially aligned with said fold line in said frame member, said window member generally conforming to said two adjacent portions.

11. The window container of claim wherein one of said two adjacent portions includes a display panel extending outwardly from said engagement line and wherein the other of said two adjacent portions includes a locking flap engaged with said one portion at said engagement line.

12. A window container comprising a frame member of relatively rigid and opaque sheet material having two frame portions connected to opposing longitudinal margins of a linking panel, each of said frame portions having an inner portion and an outer portion hingedly connected along a longitudinally extending fold line, the free longitudinal marginal porton of each of said outer portions overlying said linking panel and being engaged therewith along an engagement line generally colinear with the adjacent longitudinal margin of said linking panel, in each frame portion the corresponding transverse dimensions of said inner and outer portions between said engagement line and said fold line being substantially equal, portions of said inner and outer portions in each frame portion intermediate said engagement line and said fold line being spaced from each other to provide a compartment therebetween having a substantially curvilinear cross section,

said frame member having end closure portions hingedly connected to the ends of said inner and outer portions along arcuate, inwardly pointing fold lines, said end closure portions being locked in a concave folded position by the rigidity of the material of said frame member, each frame portion having a window aperture extending across said fold line thereof into said inner and outer portions and terminating inwardly of said engagement line; and a window member of semi-rigid transparent synthetic plastic sheet material extending beyond the margins of each of said window apertures interiorly of said frame portions and secured thereto, each window member having one fold therein along a line adjacent to and substantially aligned with said fold line in the cooperating frame portion, in each frame portion said window member generally conforming to said inner and outer portions.

13. A blank for a window container comprising a frame member of relatively rigid and opaque sheet material, said frame member being cut and scored to provide two adjacent portions hingedly connected along a first longitudinally extending weakening line, one of said adjacent portions being dimensioned to provide a hingedly connected longitudinally extending display panel spaced from said first weakening line, the other of said adjacent portions having a hingedly connected longitudinally extending locking flap spaced from said first weakening line, the corresponding transverse dimensions in said adjacent portions from said display panel and locking flap to said first weakening line being substantially equal, said adjacent portions having additional longitudinally extending weakening lines intermediate said first weakening line and said display panel and locking flap defining a plurality of Iongitudinally extending wall panels to provide a compartment of polygonal cross section upon erection, said frame member having end closure portions hingedly connected to the ends of said wall panels and a window aperture extending across said first weakening line and one of said additional weakening lines into three of said wall panels and terminating inwardly of said display panel and locking flap; and a window member of semi-rigid transparent synthetic plastic sheet material extending beyond the margins of said window aperture of said frame member and secured thereto, said two adjacent portions being foldable about said first weakening line in generally flattened overlying relationship with said locking panel being engageable with said display panel up to and along the inner longitudinal margins thereof and said window member being foldable about a line adjacent to andjsubstantially aligned with said first weakening line interiorly of said frame member.

14. A blank for a window container comprising a frame member of relatively rigid and opaque sheet material, said frame member being cut and scored to provide a front wall panel and a rear wall panel hingedly connected along a longitudinally extending weakening line, the corresponding transverse dimensions of said front and rear wall panels being substantially equal, said front and rear wall panels having arcuate inwardly pointing weakening lines at the ends thereof defining generally curvilinear end cl0- sure portions, said frame having a window aperture therein extending across said weakening line into said front and rear wall panels; and a window member of semi-rigid transparent synthetic plastic sheet material extending beyond the margins of said window aperture in said frame member and secured thereto, said front and rear wall panels being foldable about said weakening line into generally flattened overlying relationship with longitudinal marginal portions thereof opposite said weakening line being engageable to each other and said window member being foldable about a line adjacent to and substantially aligned with said weakening line interiorly of said frame member.

No references cited.

LOUIS G. MANCENE, Primary Examiner, 

1. A PARTIALLY ERECTED WINDOW CONTAINER COMPRISING A FRAME MEMBER OF RELATIVELY RIGID AND OPAQUE SHEET MATERIAL, SAID FRAME MEMBER BEING CUT AND SCORED TO DEFINE TWO ADJACENT PORTIONS HINGEDLY CONNECTED ALONG A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING WEAKENING LINE, SAID TWO ADJACENT PORTIONS BEING FOLDED ABOUT SAID WEAKENING LINE INTO GENERALLY FLATTENED, OVERLYING RELATIONSHIUP, SAID FRAME MEMBER HAVING END CLOSURE PORTIONS HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO THE ENDS OF SAID TWO ADJACENT PORTIONS AND A WINDOW APERTURE EXTENDING ACROSS SAID WEAKENING LINE INTO SAID TWO ADJACENT PORTIONS; MEANS ENGAGING SAID TWO ADJACENT PORTIONS TO EACH OTHER ALONG AN ENGAGEMENT LINE SPACED FROM SAID WEAKENING LINE, SAID WINDOW APERTURE IN SAID TWO ADJACENT PORTIONS TERMINATING INWARDLY FROM SAID ENGAGEMENT LINE; AND A WINDOW MEMBER OF SEMI-RIGID, TRANSPARENT SYNTHETIC PLASTIC SHEET MATERIAL EXTENDING BEYOND THE MARGINS OF SAID WINDOW APERTURE INTERIORLY OF SAID FRAME AND SECURED THERETO, SAID WINDOW MEMBER HAVING A FOLD THEREIN ALONG A LINE ADJACENT TO AND ALIGNED WITH SAID WEAKENING LINE IN SAID FRAME MEMBER, PORTIONS OF SAID WINDOW MEMBER ABOUT SAID FOLD SUBSTANTIALLY SUPERFICALLY CONFORMING TO CORRESPONDING PORTIONS OF SAID FRAME MEMBER, PORTIONS OF SAID TWO ADJACENT PORTIONS OF SAID FRAME MEMBER AND OF SAID WINDOW MEMBER INTERMEDIATE SAID ENGAGEMENT LINE AND SAID WEAKENING LINE BEING MOVABLE AWAY FROM EACH OTHER TO FORM A COMPARTMENT THEREBETWEEN IN THE ERECTED POSITION, SAID END CLOSURE PORTIONS BEING FOLDABLE TO CLOSE THE ENDS OF SAID COMPARTMENT AND TO LOCK SAID CONTAINER IN ERECTED POSITION. 